DIY Kid Friendly Favors

Photo and Idea from Offbeatbride.com DIY section

If you're having children in your wedding or as guests at your wedding, you might want to provide kid-friendly favors. These DIY favors are courtesy of http://offbeatbride.com/. Gwenab on The Offbeatbride's site gives you the specific directions as well as links to the sites she learned how to make these from under the DIY section of the site. Lego actually has a ice cube mold (go to http://shop.lego.com/). You can use this to make crayons in the shapes of lego men! Kudos to you Gwen! Great idea and execution! Other suggestions included stars and other fun shapes.

Photo and product from http://shop.lego.com/

Flower Duet Offers A DVD to Learn How to Create a European Wrap Bouquet

Photo courtesy of: http://flowerduetblog.blogspot.com/

If you know a bride who wants to learn how to make her own wedding bouquet, consider ordering a copy of  "How to Create A European Wrap Bouquet".  This DVD is a great gift for the newly engaged bride.  Having the DVD will take the mystery (and terror) out of designing your own wrap bouquet.  You can see a preview of the flower arranging DVD on their homepage or just go ahead and order it from the order page.

Designs for the DIY Bride

Photo from Doverpublications.com

Dover Publications designs books filled with monograms and designs perfect for the DIY bride. Also if you sign up at their web site they will send you freebies that you can use to design wedding accessories or for other DIY projects. Many of their books come complete with a CD-ROM filled with designs. You can either purchase their books online or at Borders Books.   Try the Amazon.com search function provided on this site to see what Amazon has in stock!

Jones Soda With Personalized Labels

Photo courtesy of Jones Soda at http://myjones.com/

Jones Soda will personalize bottles of their fabulous soda for you, but the only problem is it's almost thirty dollars for twelve, a pretty pricey wedding favor. Instead purchase cases of their soda at less than half that price and make your own labels. Choose your favorite soda or a combination of flavors so guests have an option. Be sure to ask for discounts if you are buying this in bulk. Most stores will offer you a discount for large bulk purchases. If the first place you try won't do it, just keep trying. Even a 10% discount when you're planning a wedding adds up in a hurry.

Candles -- Easy DIY Centerpieces

Photos and ideas courtesy of: http://www.surroundings.com/

Surroundings.com offers you a large selection of floating candle kits and craft items needed to make DIY centerpieces for your wedding.  Candles offer an inexspensive alternative to large floral arrangements and add to the ambiance of your day.  This is a go to place for candle kits, accessories, and centerpiece ideas for you wedding day. 

DIY Shoe Upgrade For Your Wedding

Photo courtesy of: http://www.zappos.com

Pearls and beading decorate this utterly feminine open toe pump. Luxurious satin upper. Large sparkling stone at back of heel. Man-made lining. Satin-covered heel. Leather sole. 4" heel.

These shoes are gorgeous and perfect for your wedding day. Don't forget though you can add lace, beading, and sparkle to your shoes on your own. Some hot glue, lace and a little careful application can give you designer shoes at Payless Prices. Have your shoes dyed first, then add your lace or bling.

Cookies Stencils

All Photos and product courtesy of: http://www.coppergifts.com/

Copper Gifts offers this combination of stencils to go with their cookie cutters.  The stencils make it simple and easy to decorate your cookies with intricate designs.

DIY Russian Friendship Tea

Russian Friendship Tea

Photos and Recipe from: http://www.bakeitpretty.com/

Make your guests a jar of Russian Friendship Tea for a wedding favor. Served at the Biltmore, this tea is sweet, with a touch of citrus and spice and is perfect to give at winter or even fall weddings.

Russian Friendship Tea Mix Recipe

(Russina Friendship Tea Recipe from Bake It Pretty Blog:)

2-1/2 cups Instant Orange Drink Mix (like Tang)

1-1/2 cups Instant Lemonade Mix (like Country Time)

1-1/2 cups Instant Unsweetened Tea

1/2 cup Sugar

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground allspice

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

(all spices are the dried, ground kind- not whole!)

In a large bowl, whisk together all ingredients until thoroughly combined. Use a funnel to add one cup of hte mix to a jar or bag. If you want some pretty labels go to: http://www.bakeitpretty.com/blog/2009/12/holiday-how-to-russian-friendship-tea/ Where there is a PDF file to print with directions on how to make the tea on the back. While you are there take a look at the rest of the great blog and site! You'll fall in love!

Photo Ops You Engineer

Photo courtesy of http://everylastdetailblog.com/ sent to them by Jessica Loren

Just make your own Mr. and Mrs. signs and you can have your photographer or friends take this cute photo of you and your new spouse.

Wedding Flags

Photo and idea courtesy of Offbeat Bride Website

Posted by Megan and Michele

Photo and idea courtesy of Offbeat Bride Website

Posted by Megan and Michele

Back of Flags above

Another option, Flags with your monogram

Brides everywhere will get wonderful inspiration from Michele at Offbeat Bride who made these great flags for her wedding party to hand out to show their enthusiasm as the bride and groom were walking out of the church.  Michele opted to make them from construction paper, and used her sewing machine to make a seamed placket to put a wooden dowel into.  She said "I put a few drops of glue on the sticks, mainly because she didn't want the flags sliding down the dowels. Then folded the paper around, and did the stitching with a zipper foot- they ended up being fairly tight."  What a great way to let your guests show their enthusiasm for your new marriage!  Shades of Monty Python!  "And there was much rejoicing!"

Photo courtesy of Martha Steward Weddings, where there are template to print.

 

Rosemary Sea Salt Favors

Photo and idea courtesy of Marth Stewart Weddings

Rosemary is the herb of love and remembrance.  Rosemary sea salt favors are perfect for your beach wedding.  Your guests can take it home and use it to make focaccia or to sprinkle over potatoes.  Prepare it using the recipe below, label the container and add an initial sticker and wedding date. 

Rosemary Sea Salt Recipe

Makes 8 cups

This herb-infused salt is fragrant and can be substituted for unseasoned salt in any savory recipe.

Tools and Materials

1 three-pound box kosher salt (about 8 cups)
Bunches fresh rosemary, plus more for garnish

Rosemary Sea Salt How-To

1. In a large, high-sided saute pan, combine salt and rosemary. Place over medium heat, and warm through, about 10 minutes. Transfer salt and rosemary mixture to a container. Let cool 5 minutes, uncovered; then cover with an airtight lid. Let stand at least overnight.

2. When ready to fill containers, discard old rosemary. Fill desired containers with salt, and garnish top and sides with a fresh sprigs of rosemary; seal containers.

DIY Wedding Flowers, Rules for the Road -- DIY and Stay Calm

Do It Yourself -- The good thing about doing it yourself is there are very few rules! But here are a few suggestions that may help you on your road to becoming a CALM DIY bride.


1.  Don't let DIY intimidate you.  Let your creative side out to play.  Remember, this is YOUR day, not a wedding planners, not your mother's or his mother's.  So be creative and be YOU!
2.  Buy your fresh flowers from a local grocery store.  Talk to the manager or manager of their floral departments and let them know what flowers you need.  Be sure they order enough for you.  The prices will be better than getting them through your florist.  Try Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Costco etc.
3.  Consider using creative vessels.  Go wth mason jars, flea market finds or old vases from a yard sale.
4.  Cut stems at and angle.
5.  Flowers should not be more than twice the height of your vase.  Don't let the blooms overwhelm the vase.
6.  Consider using just one flower, or just one color flower with some greenery.  It's less expensive and easier to arrange.
7.  Don't be afraid to ask for help.  A DIY wedding doesn't mean a do it BY YOURSELF wedding.  Enlist the help of parents, bridesmaids, sisters etc. 
8.  Remember, enjoy your DIY projects, especially flowers.  If they are about to overwhelm you, it's time to get a professional to help you out.

Pink and White Easy DIY Flowers

Photos and designs courtesy of: http://www.tableart.net/

Planning on using a pink and white theme for your wedding? Want DIY flowers that are fast and easy? Try this pink and white Gerber daisies in a variety of tall and shorter displays. The lower ones are clear acrylic trays with a combination of votives and Gerber daisies (you might want to use battery operated votives for this or be sure your acrylic will withstand the heat from your candles). The tall vases have black rocks in the bottom and the flowers just stack up to the top. The third photo is round 'fishbowl' vases with a floating Gerber supporting a clear acrylic tray. Trays are perfect for your buffet table, especially for your hors d'oeuvres. Fast, easy, and not too expensive! Especially if you are doing it yourself.

Photo and design courtesy of: http://www.tableart.net

Photo and design courtesy of: http://www.tableart.net

Virtual Tool To Help You Select Linens

Searching for the perfect tablecloth is a lot easier now with this great tool provided by BBJ Linens called the "Design Your Event Table" virtual tool. This tool allows you to try different tablecloths, napkins, types of chairs and chair accessories before you order them. Perfect for event planners as well as the DIY bride when it comes to those crucial decisions.

Unfortuantely they don't have it set up so you can add your flowers, china and crystal choices, but I'm sure it's in the works, if not at this site then somewhere else!

Chocolate Dipped Biscotti with Non-Pariels

Photo courtesy of www.ladyfortunes.com/Picture_Biscotti_p/pcbsct-mini.htm

Choose a Biscotti flavor either Chocolate Chip or Double Chocolate Chip are good flavors. They're perfect for dunking into your favorite hot or cold beverage.  Melt some chocolate and dip! Edge with delicate non-pariels and you can either pipe your initials onto the cookies or order custom chocolate to put on them.  These are some of the most attractive cookies I've come across in awhile.   If you don't want to go the DIY route, http://www.ladyfortune.com/ makes the one's as pictured above.

DIY Wedding Cookies

Photo and idea from: http://www.ladyfortunes.com/

Want some cute cookies to give to your guests?  Try these chocolate covered oreos dipped in pretty pink, red and white hearts.  First buy some Double Stuff Oreos.  Melt your chocolate (either white, milk or dark).  Dip cookies once and let them dry.  Redip then cover with heart shaped sprinkles.  You can order those online but I found some at a bargain price at Home Goods and TJ Maxx stores.  After they are dry through, pack in clear plasticine bags and add a cut card.  Perfect inexpensive wedding favors.  If you don't want to go the DIY route, you can purchase them ready made from http://www.ladyfortunes.com/. 

Dyeing Your Crinoline, a Complete Guide

Photo courtesy of http://www.brillianteventplanning.com/ 

A bride on The Wedding Bee (http://www.weddingbee.com/) gives these directions for dying your crinoline.  Some brides like to dye them blue, some a pretty pink, the choice is yours.  The directions are as follows (I only tested them on a little girls crinoline to save money so follow with care). 

Most important:  Buy a crinoline that is NOT polyester.  The bride who posted used a nylon taffeta crinoline she purchased at David's Bridal.  Her info is that all David's Bridal crinolines are nylon, though it's possible that has changed, so check the tags.

Photo courtesy of: www.weddingbycolor.com/futuremrsfox

First run the crinoline through the washer with a small amount of soap; wash it on delicate to remove any sizing or fixative in the fabric.  Then take out the crinoline and untangle it.  (You might want to put a piece of plastic on the floor to catch all the water it can get messy). 

Next fill the washer basin up halfway (she has 4 settings, as do I, and she used the 2nd setting) with hot water. Stop the washer before it starts to agitate.  Be sure your crinoline is still wet through.  Add your liquid dye to the water in the washer. 

With a wet crinoline in your hand, add the dye to a washer half full of water.  DO NOT put the crinoline in before this step.  Agitate the dye and water for a few seconds. (about 5 seconds), to mix the dye evenly.  With you hands in heavy duty rubber gloves (so you don't end up with dyed hands) push the crinoline back into the washer. 

Photo from: http://www.oneobsessedbride.blogspot.com/

When putting the crinoline in the washer unzip it and put it around the spindle, almost as though you are 'dressing' it.  I did this because I was concerned about getting a tie-dyed look.  Fortunately it didn't. 

Once the crinoline is submerged in water, turn it back on and let it agitate on gentle.  Depending on how dark you want the crinoline you may want to do one or two bottles of dye.  Keep a sample of the color you are looking for near the washer so it's easy to compare.  Mine came out a little darker than I wanted but since it was under my gown and the only pink was my crinoline and flowers the color was fine.  Deeper colors may need more dye. 

After you have allowed the crinoline to agitate for the desired amount of time, let the wash cycle finish. Be sure the water runs clear to avoid staining the inside of your dress the color of your crinoline. This is  doubtful, as you would have to go swimming in them, but still…).

Finally, hang to dry in the bathroom. 

I hope you enjoy your crinoline and it's hint of color to accent your wedding day.

If you want photos and additional directions try: http://www.ehow.com/how_4679699_dye-crinoline-slip.html.  Sometimes pictures are worth a thousand words! 

Draping Ceilings for the DIY Bride

Dyning Shades Photo Courtesy of Shaded Nation

Product from Ikea

Ikea makes a 'Dyning Shade,' (shown above in a picture by Shaded Nation), which is a great option for DIY brides who want to add a canopy effect to their outdoor wedding. This is a great inexpensive option for draping outdoors. Head over to your local Ikea store and check these out, they are a budget friendly $25.00 each. These shades, that look like sails, give a decorator look to your wedding. The shade comes complete with hooks and cords to hang it from columns, lamposts or trees. For indoor events you can get some extra strong magnets with a built-in hook (Model# 07218) from Northern Tool that cost less than three dollars which will let you clip it to the ceiling. Add drama and break up the space of your event space without spending a fortune.

DIY Flower Girl Fairy Wands or You Can Let Your Florist Do the Work

Above photos from: http://www.weddingbee.com/

Flower girls may not be old enough to manage to carry a basket without losing all the blooms at the back of the aisle.  To be sure she arrives with all her flowers try making or having your florist make a 'fairy wand'.  Since tiny hands have problems manipulating pomanders and walking at the same time these fairy wands are a perfect solution.  There are how to directions all over the web for making them with either real or silk flowers.  Since most flower girls love to save their wedding finery, you might want to consider making her a silk one instead of real flowers so she can show it to all her friends, not to mention use it for Halloween!  These are easy to make (even I, the least crafty person, has no problem pulling this together). 

 

DIY Lace Edged Napkin Rings

[Images via The Kitchn (via Martha Stewart) and Pink Petticoat]

Use fabric, ribbon, paper, twine, or whatever you like to make napkin rings. Taje advantage of different scrapbooking papers and punches to create unique patterns, like with this Martha Stewart punch available at Michael's Craft Stores and other fine craft stores.